Robert Torte - Conquer the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) Job Knowledge Section

CONQUER THE FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER TEST (FSOT) JOBKNOWLEDGE SECTION Second Edition Robert B. Torte Copyright 2012 Robert Torte All rights reserved. ISBN: 9781476028576 Published on Smashwords Formatted by * * * DEDICATION This book is dedicated to all Foreign ServiceOfficers and candidates, past and present. * * * All rights Reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in anyform or by any means, without the prior permission in writing ofthe publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of bindingor cover other than that in which it is published and without asimilar condition including this condition being imposed on thesubsequent purchaser. Smashwords Edition License Notes This e-book is licensed for your personalenjoyment only.

This e-book may not be re-sold or given away toother people. If you would like to share this book with anotherperson, please purchase an additional copy for each person youshare it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it,or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should returnto Smashwords and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respectingthe author's work. * * * CONTENTS * * * Id like to acknowledge the wonderful folks atAmazon.com, without whom the publication of this guide would not bepossible. * * * By now you probably have a basic knowledge of whatthe Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is.

This introductorychapter will serve to educate you about the foreign service, thetest and its history, as well as to explain some backgroundinformation the test itself. This book is meant as a comprehensive guide to theexams Job Knowledge Section. There will be many, many practicequestions, as well as a discussion of test taking tips-some ofwhich you may have heard before from other standardized tests, andsome which may be new. The first several sections go over thebasics of the exam and the information is taken directly from theState Department itself. Then we will look at some test taking tipsand tricks, and follow that up by a chapter that includes practicequestions. We chose not to do any practice exams.

Instead, wewill provide many different practice questions you can be exposedto. By practicing the practice questions, you will do much betterthan just by looking at a limited number of them in timed sections.While time is an important factor, knowledge of the material willhave you easily answering questions within the time allotted. The FSOT is a unique test, in that in combines manydifferent elements, and there is no stated score most years it isoffered. If youve taken the GMAT, or GRE, you may find the EnglishExpression and Essay sections are somewhat familiar. Additionally,the test makers like to sprinkle in some basic math skills such asintroductory arithmetic, algebra, and geometry as well. The FSOT is administered at hundreds of commercialtest centers throughout the United States and at locations abroad.The test lasts approximately three hours and draws upon acandidates writing skills, general background, experience andeducation, and measures knowledge of English expression and othersubjects basic to the functions of Foreign Service Officers.

Thetest includes three multiple-choice sectionsgeneral job knowledge,English expression and a bio-graphic information section thatmeasures skills and abilities such as integrity, problem-solvingand cultural sensitivityand at least one 30-minute written essay.Seats for each FSOT ad-ministration are limited. E-mail invitationsto schedule a seat appointment at a test center are sentapproximately five-to-six weeks before the test period by careertrack on a first-come, first-served basis according to whenregistrants submit their complete registration package. The Test Day: Registrants must report to theirassigned test center no later than the start time shown in theirconfirmation notification e-mail. Late arrivals cannot beaccommodated. Registrants will be assessed a no-show fee of $50.00for failure to cancel the seat at least 48 hours before the testdate or for failure to appear for the test. A registrant cannotreserve a seat for a future test date until the no-show fee hasbeen paid.

Examination Content: The FSO Test consists of thefollowing components: Job Knowledge Test: The job-related knowledge testmeasures the candidates depth and breadth of knowledge andunderstanding of a range of subjects identified in the 1997 jobanalysis as important for performing the tasks required of ForeignService Officers. Topics covered appear later in this guide. English Expression and Usage Test: This test measuresknowledge of correct grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation andorganization required for written reports and for editing thewrit-ten work of others. The test includes questions in each ofthese areas. Sample questions appear later in this guide. Biographic Information: The biographic informationsection provides an assessment of candidates prior work, educationand job-relevant life experiences, highlighting attributes such asthe way they resolve conflicts, interact with others, adapt toother cultures and set priori-ties.

The questionnaire does notpenalize candidates who have not gone to college, who have noprevious work experience, or who have varied patterns of educationand experience. Rather, it credits candidates for what they haveachieved relative to the opportunities they have had. Essay: Candidates draft one or two essays on acomputer on assigned topics. The essays are evaluated on thequality of writing, including development of ideas, structure,clear language and the standard use of conventionsnot on whatopinions are expressed. Performance on the FSOT is based on scored itemsonly. In each section of the test, there are a small number ofunscored items that are included for research purposes.

Since theseitems are indistinguishable from those that are scored, it isimportant that examinees answer all the items in each section ofthe test to the best of their ability. A minimum score for the multiple choice sections ofthe FSOT is established for eligibility for essays to be scored.Candidates who obtain this minimum score on the multiple choicesections of the FSOT have their essays graded. Candidates who haveachieved the minimum score on both the multiple choice and essaytests receive instructions for completing personal narratives,which must be submitted prior to the deadline in order to advanceto the QEP stage of the selection process. Those candidates whosescores do not reach the minimum are notified by e-mail that theircandidacies end at this stage. The Department of State and ACT, Inc. maintain avariety of quality control procedures to en-sure the accuracy ofscores and score reporting.

However, candidates who think a scoringerror has occurred may submit a written request for re-scoring. Thetest record for all three multiple-choice sections will bere-scored by hand for a fee of $30. The fee to re-evaluate thewritten essay is also $30. Copies of the written essay or multiplechoice answer sheets will not be re-leased or provided toexaminees. The result of re-scoring is reported to the candidatein writing two to three weeks after the re-quest is received.Requests for re-scoring must be received by ACT not more than fivemonths after the test date. Candidates wishing their results to bere-scored should include in their letters their full names, datesof birth, mailing addresses and test dates and locations and advisewhich section of the test is to be re-scored.

Candidates shouldalso enclose a check or money order payable to ACT, Inc. for theappropriate amount and mail everything to: ACT, Inc., ForeignService Officer Test (82), P.O. Box 4070, Iowa City, IA52243-4070. The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is preparedand administered by ACT for the U.S. Department of State. Inaccordance with Federal law, the Department of State will providereasonable accommodation to enable qualified applicants withdisabilities to take the FSOT.